Washing machine



Jan. 10, 1967 F. c. LORNITZO WASHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 8, 1965 JNVENTOR. FRANK C. LORMBTZO ATTORNEY Jan. 10, 1967 F. c. LORNITZO 3,296,839

WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1963 4 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR. FRANK O. LORNITZO M HM AT TOR N EY F. C. LORNITZO WASHING MACHINE Jan. 10, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 8, 1963 m ,R. T W I W Q 1o. m M m W/ l M F 2 O m m 0 B 7 M m 5 I 0 3B m k d a 8 9 2 3 l 2 8 7 I 2 ll 9 me I M HS ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofifice 3,296,839 Patented Jan. to, we?

9 Claims. (CI. 68-44) The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly to an automatic, tumbler-type washing machine.

In the construction of an automatic, tumbler-type washing machine in which the rotating basket which contains the articles being washed rotates about a horizontal axis, there are many problems which affect the proper operation of the machine. The main problem is caused by the fact that the articles to be washed apply a load to the rotating basket which is offset from the axis of rotation of the basket. This offset loading of the basket causes the basket to vibrate perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the basket. It is therefore desirable to mount the basket so that the vibrations from the basket are not transmitted to the support for the washing machine. Also, it is desirable that in the event that the vibration of the basket becomes too great, the washing machine is automatically shut 01f. In addition, the drive to the rotating basket must be continuous even though the basket vibrates.

There are many other features which are desirable in such a Washing machine. It is desirable that the water outlet valves from the rotating basket operate automatically to permit the flow of the water from the basket at the proper times during the operation of the machine. Also, it is necessary to provide a water tight seal between the rotating basket and the door to the basket. However, it is desirable that the seal have a long life span so that it does not have to be replaced often. In addition, it is desirable to provide the washing machine with means for adding soap and other washing materials to the basket while the machine is in operation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel washing machine.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic washing machine in which the vibrations from the rotating basket are not transmitted to the support for the washing machine.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an automatic washing machine which is automatically stopped if the vibration of the rotating basket becomes too great.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel drive for the rotating basket of an automatic washing machine.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a novel seal between the door and the rotating basket of an automatic washing machine.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic washing machine having a novel water outlet valve for the rotating basket.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic washing machine in which soap and other washing materials can be admitted to the rotating basket during the operation of the machine.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, of the washing machine of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational View of the washing machine of the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is a top elevational view, partly sectioned, of one of the torsion bars for supporting the rotating basket of the washing machine of the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 4a is an end view of the torsion bar showing the pretension means.

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view of the back end of the rotating basket of the washing machine of the present invention taken along line 55 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view, partly sectioned, of the rotating basket of the washing machine of the present invention.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged elevational view of the hasket showing one of the water outlet valves of the basket.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along line 88 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken along line 99 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 10 is a top elevational view of the drive mechanism for the washing machine of the present invention.

FIGURE 11 is a side elevational view of the drive mechanism for the washing machine of the present invention looking in the direction of arrows 11-11 in FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view of the vibration limiting switch of the washing machine of the present invention.

Referring initially to FIGURES 1 and 2, the washing machine of the present invention is generally designated as 20.

Washing machine 20 comprises a substantially rectangular base 22. A pair of upright posts 24 are mounted in spaced relation adjacent the back edge of the rectangular base 22. A rail 26 extends across and is secured to the top ends of the posts 24. A pair of upright mounting plates 28, only one of which is shown, are secured to the base 22 along opposite sides of the base 22, and adjacent the front end of the base 22. A front plate 30 extends between and is secured to the front edges of the mounting plates 28.

A casing, generally designated as 32, is supported between the posts 24 and the mounting plates 28, above the base 22. Casing 32 comprises a cylindrical portion 34, a conical portion 36 secured to the rear end of the cylindrical portion 34, and a circular cover plate 33 secured across the front end of the cylindrical portion 34. A pair of spaced plates 40, only one of which is shown, are secured to and extend longitudinally from the rear end of the casing 32. A connecting plate 42 is secured between the rear ends of the plates 40. Connecting plate 42 extends downwardly below the bottom edges of the plates 46. A support plate 44 extends between the connecting plate 42 and the rear end of the casing 32 beneath the plates 40. Support plate 44 is secured to the rear end of the casing 32 by an angle bracket 46 at one end and at the other end is secured to the bottom end of the connector plate 42 by an angle bracket 48. Support plate 44 extends between the posts 24 beneath the rail 26. A rod 50 extends vertically through the support plate 44 and the rail 26. A nut 52 is threaded on the top end of the rod 50, and is seated on the top of the rail 26 to support the rod 50 from the rail 26. Rod St) has an annular head 54 on its bottom end. A helical spring 56 surrounds the rod 50 and is seated on the head 54. The support plate 44 is seated on the top end of the spring 56. Thus, the back end of the casings 32 is resiliently supported on the spring 56. The front end of the casing 32 is resiliently supported between a pair of torsion bars 58. Torsion bars 58 extend horizontally along opposite sides of the casing 32, and are each mounted between a post 24 and a mounting plate 28.

Referring to FIGURE 3, each of the torsion bars 58 comprises an elongated, solid rod 60 of square cross-section, and a cylindrical sleeve 62 surrounding the rod 60. The front end of the rod 60 extends through the square bore of a bushing 64. The front end of the bushing 64 extends into a hub 66. Bushing 64 is rotatably supported in the hub 66 by roller bearings 68. A cover plate 70 is secured across the front end of the hub 66 by screws 72. The back end of the hub 66 extends thorugh and is secured to a mounting plate 74. As shown in FIGURE 1, mounting plate 74 is secured to and extends vertically upwardly from the mounting plate 28. The rear end of the rod 60 extends into a square recess in a cup-shaped bushing 76. The rear end of the sleeve 62 extends around the front end of the bushing 76, and is rotatably supported thereon by roller bearings 78. Bushing 76 extends through a hub 80. A strap 81 extends across the closed end of the bushing 76 and a pair of .screws 82 secure the strap 81 to the hub 80 and clamp the strap tightly against the bushing 76. A flange 84 extends radially from the hub 80 toward the post 24. Flange 84 extends through and is welded to the post 24.

Thus, the back ends of the rod 60 of the torsion bars 58 are mounted on the posts 24 and are secured against rotation, and the front ends of the rods 60 are rotatably supported on the mounting plates 28. The sleeves 62 of the torsion bars 58 are entirely rotatable with the front ends of the rods 60.

A connecting arm 86 is secured to each of the sleeves 62 of the torsion bars 58 adjacent the front ends of the sleeves 62. The connecting arms 86 extend radially from the sleeves 62 toward the casing 32. As shown in FIG- URE 2, a separate link 88 is pivotably connected to the end of each of the connecting arms 86 by a pivot pin 90. Links 88 extend vertically downwardly from the ends of the connecting arms 86. A separate pivot pin 92 extends through the bottom end of each of the links 88. Each of the pivot pins 92 is supported between a pair of bracket plates 94 and 96 which are secured to a plate 98 on the side of the cylindrical portion 34 of the casing 32.

Thus, the front end of the casing 32 is supported by the torsion bars 58 through the links 88 and connecting arms 86 so that any vertical vibration of the casing 32 will be taken up by the twisting of the rods 60 of the torsion bars 58.

As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4a, a separate arm 100 is integral with and extends radially from the closed end of each of the bushings 76. The arms 100 extend radially from the bushings 76 toward each other. A separate threaded rod 104 having an eye at one end thereof is pivotably secured to the end of each of the arms 100 by a pivot pin 106. Pivot pin 106 extends through the eye of the rod 104, and is threaded into the end of the arm 100. Rod 104 extends vertically upwardly from the arm 100 and projects through a horizontal ledge 108 which is secured to and extends from a post 24. A nut 110 is threaded on the end of the rod 104. Nut 110 has a rounded bottom end which seats on the top of the ledge 108. By threading the nuts 110 onto the rods 104 and against the ledges 108, the ends of the arms 100 are pulled upwardly to rotate the arms 100 and the bushings 76 of the torsion bars 58. This twists the rods 60 of the torsion bars 58 to pre-tension the rods 60.

A separate locking arm 112 is rotatably mounted on the sleeve 62 of each of the torsion bars 58 adjacent the front end of the sleeve 62. Locking arm 112 is mounted between a pair of collars 114 which are secured around the sleeve 62. Locking arm 112 has a hole 116 through its outer end, and a slot 118 which extends to the hole 116. Slot 118 is of a width smaller than the diameter of the hole 116. As shown in FIGURE 1, a headed pin 120 is secured to a boss 122 extending from the bracket plate 96 on the side of the casing 32. Pin is parallel to the torsion bar 58 and is positioned to extend across the path of rotation of the locking arm 112. A locking sleeve 124 is slidably mounted on the pin 120, and a helical spring 125 is compressed between the head of the pin 120 and the end of the sleeve 124 to urge the sleeve 124 against the boss 122. Locking sleeve 124 is of a diameter equal to the diameter of the hole 116 in the locking arm 112, and pin 120 is of a diameter equal to the width of the slot 118 in the locking arm 112.

To lock the casing 32 against movement with respect to the base 22, the locking sleeves 124 are pulled away from the bosses 122 against the springs 125. This exposes a portion of the pins 120 adjacent the bosses 122. The locking arms 112 are then rotated until the exposed portions of the pins 120 pass through the slots 118 in the locking arms 112 into the holes 116. The locking sleeves 124 are then released, and the springs 125 force the locking sleeves 124 through the holes 116 in the locking arms 112. Since the diameter of the locking sleeves 124 is larger than the width of the slots 118, the locking arms 112 are secured to the pins 120. The pins 120 are positioned so that when the locking arms 112 are secured to the pins 120, the locking arms 112 extend at an angle of substantially forty-five degrees to the vertical (see FIGURE 2). Thus, the locking arms 112 prevent the casing 32 from moving with respect to the base 22. To release the locking arms 112, the locking sleeves 124 are pulled away from the bosses 122, and the locking arms 112 are rotated away from the pins 120.

Rotatably mounted within the casing 32 is a basket, generally designated as 126. As shown in FIGURE 6, basket 126 is substantially spherical having flattened front and back ends. Basket 126 comprises two substantially semi-spherical portions 128 and 130 which are secured together by mating annular flanges 132 and 134. As shown in FIGURE 9, an annular ring 135 is secured between the flanges 132 and 134.

A hollow shaft 136 is secured to the back end of the basket 126. A hub 138 is secured around the front end of the shaft 136, and an annular flange 140 extends radially outwardly from the hub 138. The flange 140 fits within an annular collar 142 which is secured to the back end of the basket 126. Bolts 144 secure the flange 140 to the collar 142. Shaft 136 extends horizontally from the back end of the basket 126 through the back end of the casing 32, and through the vertical plate 42. Shaft 136 is rotatably supported by bearings 146 and 148 which are mounted on the back end of the casing 32 and the vertical plate 42 respectively. Thus, the basket 126 is supported within the casing 32 for rotation about the horizontal axis of the shaft 136.

A water supply conduit 150 is connected to the back end of the shaft 136 through a rotatable coupling 152 (see FIGURE 1). The back end of the basket 126 has a hole 154 therethrough in alignment with the bore 156 of the shaft 136. A dish-shaped plate 158 is secured to the back end of the basket 126 within the basket 126. Plate 158 extends across the hole 154 in the back end of the basket 126, and has a plurality of holes 160 therethrough to allow water to pass from the shaft 136 into the basket 126. The plate 158 prevents the articles being washed in the basket 126 from being damaged by the edges of the hole 154.

The annular ring 135 between the flanges 132 and 134 of the basket 126 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes 162 extending radially therethrough. As shown in FIGURES 5, 7 and 9 a separate valve 164 is provided for each of the holes 162. Each of the valves 164 comprises a thin, flexible strap 166 of a spring metal which extends substantially tangential to the outer periphery of the annular ring 135 at the hole 162. One end of the strap 166 is secured to the bight 168 of a U-shaped mounting pin 170. The other end of the strap 166 extends under the bight of a second U-shaped mounting pin 170. The legs 172 and 174 of each of the mounting pins 176 extend along and are secured to the outer surfaces of the flanges 132 and 134 of the basket 126 (see FIGURE 9). As shown in FIG- URE 8, a rounded valve head 176 is seated in the outer end of the hole 162 beneath the metal strap 166. A valve stem 178 extends outwardly from the back surface of the valve head 176 and projects through the metal strap 166. A collar 180 fits tightly around the valve stem 173, and clamps the metal strap 166 against the back of the valve head 176. A U-shaped stop member 182 extends around the valve head 176 and valve stem 178. The legs 164- and 186 of the stop member 182 extend along and are secured to the outer surfaces of the flanges 132 and 134 of the basket 126. The bight 188 of the stop member 182 is spaced from the end of the valve stem 176. The metal strap 166 of each of the valves 164 is stressed so as to normally hold the valve head 176 tightly seated in the hole 162. Thus, the valves 164 are normally closed. However, when the basket 126 rotates faster than a predetermined speed, centrifugal force will move the valve heads 176 away from the annular ring 135, and thereby open the hole 162 to allow water to escape from the basket 126 through the holes 162. When the basket 126 slows down, the resiliency of the metal straps 166 will move the valve heads 176 back into the holes 162 to close the valves 164.

An annular strip 161 extends across the inner periphery of the annular ring 135 and is secured to the inner surfaces of the portions 123 and 130 of basket 126. Strip 161 has a plurality of holes 163 therethrough to allow the water to pass from the basket 126 throughthe holes 162. Strip 161 prevents the articles being washed in the basket 126 from being pulled into the holes 162. Basket 126 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs 165 extending radially inwardly from the outer periphery thereof. Ribs 165 help tumble the articles being washed in the basket 126 for a more thorough washing of the articles.

Referring-to FIGURE 6, the basket 126 has an enlarged opening 190 in its front to permit the articles to be washed to be inserted into the basket 126. An annular ring 192 is secured around the edge of the opening 196. The front cover plate 38 of the casing 32 has an enlarged opening 194 therethrough in alignment with the opening 126 in the basket 126. A door, generally designated as 1%, is mounted in the opening 194 in the front cover plate 38. Door 196 comprises an annular metal rim 1%, and a circular plate 266 of a transparent material, such as glass or a plastic, secured across the center of the annular rim 198. The door 196 is hingedly connected to the front cover plate 38 by a hinge 202 which is secured to the front face of the rim 1% and the front face of the cover plate 38 (see FIGURE 2). The door 196 is provided with a handle 264 to facilitate opening and closing the door 196. Handle 264 may be provided with means, not shown, for locking the door 196 in its closed position. The plate 266 of the door 196 has an opening 261 therethrough adjacent the top of the plate 260 and above the water level in the basket 126. The bottom surface of the opening'2tl1 is inclined downwardly toward the basket 126. A metal frame 263 fits around the bottom and sides of the opening 201 (see FIGURE 2). A cover plate 265 is hingedly mounted on the bottom side of the frame 263. The cover plate 265 extends upwardly across the opening 261 and across the front face of the rim 196 of the door 196. When the cover plate 205 is swung away from the opening 261, soap and other washing materials can be poured into the basket 126 through the opening 261. When the cover plate 265 is in its vertical position the opening 261 is covered to prevent water from splashing from the basket 126. The opening 261 also serves as a vent for the basket 126.

The rim 198 of the door 196 has an annular groove 296 in its inner surface which faces the annular ring 192 on the basket 126. An annular, hollow ring 266 of a flexible material, such as rubber, is seated in the annular 6 groove 266. A sleeve 210 which is C-shaped in transverse cross-section surrounds the rubber ring 208. Sleeve 210 is of a plastic material which has good sealing properties, and will withstand considerable wear, such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The inside of the rubber ring 208 is connected by a conduit, not shown, to a source of air under pressure to permit the rubber ring 268 to be inflated. Any suitable means operable in relation to thespeed of rotation of the basket can be employed to effect operation of the means for inflating the sealing means. For example, governor-operated means readily suggest themselves to one skilled in the art. Similarly other centrifugal-operated means can be employed.

When the basket 126 is not rotating or is rotating at relatively low speeds, such as during the washing and rinsing cycles of the washing machine 20, the rubber ring 208 is inflated to press the sleeve 210 tightly against the annular ring 192 on the basket 126. Thus, the door 196 is tightly sealed to the annular ring 192 to prevent the water in the basket 126 from passing between the door 196 and the anular ring 192. However, since the basket 126 is rotating at relatively low speed, the frictional engagement between the sleeve 210 and the annular ring 192 will not cause any substantial wear of the sleeve 216. When the basket 126 is rotated at high speeds, such as during the extraction cycle of the washing machine 26, the rubber ring 263 is deflated to move the sleeve 216 out of contact with the anular ring 192. Thus, when the basket 126 is rotating at high speeds, there is no frictional contact between the sleeve 216 and the annular ring 192 to cause any wear of the sleeve 216. During the high speed rotation of the basket 126, the water within the basket 126 is thrown into the outer periphery of the basket 126 and away from the door 1%. Thus, a tight seal between the door 196 and the annular ring 192 is not necessary.

Referring to FIGURES l0 and 11, the basket 126 is driven by an electric motor 212 which is mounted on the base 22. A pair of pulleys 214 and 216 are mounted on the output shaft 218 of the motor 212. Pulley 214 is secured to the shaft 218 to rotate therewith. Pulley 216 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 213. Pulley 216 is drivingly connected to the shaft 213 through a magnetic clutch 226. Thus, when the clutch 221) is not energized, the shaft 218 rotates with respect to the pulley 216. However, when the clutch 229 is energized, the pulley 216 rotates With the shaft 218.

Pulley 214 is drivingly connected to a pulley 222 by an endless belt 224. Pulley 222 is mounted on a shaft 26. Shaft 26 is rotatably supported in a bearing 228 mounted on the base 22. A second pulley 230 is mounted on the shaft 226 to rotate with the pulley 222. Pulley 236 is drivingly connected by an endless belt 232 to a variable speed device, generally designated as 234-. The variable speed device 234 is drivingly connected to a pulley 236 by an endless belt 238. Pulley 236 is mounted on the input shaft 240 of a transmission 242.

The variable speed device 234 comprises three pulley sheaves 244, 246, and 248 mounted on a shaft 250. The sheaves 244, 246, and 248 all rotate with the shaft 250, and the center sheave 246 can also slide axially along the shaft 250. Shaft 256 is rotatably supported between the top ends of a pair of spaced, upright supporting arms 252. As shown in FKGURE 11, the bottom ends of the supporting arms 252 are hingedly mounted on the base 22. The piston rod 254 of a hydraulic jack 256 is connected to the top end of one of the supporting arms 252. The cylinder 258 of the hydraulic jack 256 is secured to a bracket 260 mounted on the base 22.

When the hydraulic jack 256 is operated to pivot the supporting arms 252 toward the pulley 236, the tension in the endless belt 238 decreases, and the tension in the endless belt 232 increases. This moves the center sheave 246 axially along the shaft 250 toward the endless belt 238, and thereby increases the speed of rotation of the pulley 236. When the hydraulic jack 256 is operated to pivot the supporting arms 252 away from the pulley 236, the tension in the endless belt 238 increases, and the tension in the endless belt 232 decreases. This moves the center sheave 246 axially along the shaft 250 toward the endless belt 232, and thereby decreases the speed of rotation of the pulley 236. Thus, by operating the hydraulic jack 256 of the variable speed device 234, the speed of rotation of the pulley 236 can be varied.

The transmission 242 has a forward gear, a reverse gear, and a neutral position. A hydraulic jack 262 is connected to the transmission 242 through a linkage 264. Operation of the hydraulic jack 262 shifts the transmission 242 between its forward gear and its reverse gear through the neutral position. A pulley 266 is mounted on the output shaft 268 of the transmission 242. Pulley 266 is drivingly connected by endless belts 270 to a pulley 272.

Pulley 272 is mounted on a shaft 274 which is rotatably supported between the ends of a pair of spaced, parallel arms 276 and 278. The other ends of the arms 276 and 278 are secured to the opposite sides of a plate 280. A pair of spaced, parallel flanges 232 project from the back edge of the plate 280. The flanges 282 are secured to a shaft 284 which is rotatably supported in a pair of bearings 286. The bearings 286 are mounted on a vertical panel 288 which is mounted on the base 22. The arms 276 and 278 extend substantially horizontally from the panel 288, and are pivotable to move the shaft 274 in a substantially vertical direction.

A pulley 290 is mounted on the shaft 274 to rotate with the pulley 272. As shown in FIGURE 1, pulley 290 is drivingly connected by endless belts 292 to a pulley 294 which is mounted on the shaft 136 which rotates the basket 126. Thus, the shaft 136 which rotates the basket 126 is drivingly connected to the motor 212 through the endless belt 224, the endless belt 232, the endless belt 238, the transmission 242, the endless belts 270, and the endless belts 292. The variable speed device 234 permits the speed of rotation of the basket 126 to be varied, and the transmission 242 permits reversal of the direction of rotation of the basket 126.

The pulley 216 on the output shaft 218 of the motor 212 is drivingly connected through endless belts 296 to a pulley 298. Pulley 298 is mounted on the shaft 274 to rotate with the pulley 290. Thus, when the magnetic clutch 220 is energized, there is provided a direct drive from the motor 212 to the shaft 136 which rotates the basket 126 at a high speed.

The drive between the motor 212 and the basket 126 through the variable speed device 234 and the transmission 242 is used to rotate the basket 126 at a relatively low speed, such as during the washing and rinsing cycles of the washing machine 20. During the low speed operation of the basket 126, the magnetic clutch 220 is not energized. The more direct drive between the motor 212 and the basket 126 through the pulleys 296 is used for high speed rotation of the basket 126, such as during the water extraction cycle of the washing machine 20. For the high speed operation of the basket 126, the magnetic clutch 220 is energized to drive the pulley 216 from the motor 212, and the transmission 242 is placed in neutral to disconnect the low speed drive to the basket 126.

A rigid rod 300 has a tongue 302 at one end which is pivotably connected to a clevis 304. The clevis 304 is mounted on the front end of the arm 276 adjacent the shaft 274. Rod 300 extends vertically upwardly from the arm 276. The top end of the rod 300 has a tongue 306 which is pivotably connected to a clevis 308 (see FIG- URE 1). The clevis 308 is secured to the bottom of the support plate 44 which is secured to the casing 32. Thus, the rod 300 connects the casing 32 to the arm 276 so that any vertical movement of the casing 32 will correspondingly pivot the arms 276 and 278 and the shaft 274. This maintains the distance between the shaft 274 and the shaft 136 constant so that the tension in the endless belts 292 is not varied. Thus, vertical vibration of the casing 32 does not affect the drive to the shaft 136.

The pivotation of the arms 276 and 278 brought about by the vertical vibration of the casing 32 causes a slight variation in the distance between the pulley 272 and the pulley 266 on the transmission output shaft 268. However, the variation in the distance between the pulley 272 and the pulley 266 is so small as compared to the total distance between the pulley 272 and the pulley 266 that it does not adversely affect the tension in the endless belts 270. Thus, although the pulley 272 moves with respect to the pulley 266, the endless belts 270 will continuously drive the pulley 272 from the pulley 266. Likewise, the drive between the pulley 216 and the pulley 298 is not adversely affected even though the distance between the pulley 216 and the pulley 298 varies slightly due to the pivotation of the arms 276 and 278.

Vertical vibration of the casing 32 is caused by the load in the basket 126 being at an angle to the axis of rotation of the basket 126. If an exceptionally heavy load is placed in the basket 126, the vertical vibration of the casing 32 during the rotation of the basket 126 may become so great as to break the connections between the casing 32 and the torsion bars 58. To prevent such damage to the washing machine 20, a vibration limiting switch, generally designated as 310, is mounted on the casing 32 (see FIGURE 1). The vibration limiting switch 310 operates to turn off the motor 212 if the vertical vibration of the casing 32 becomes greater than a predetermined amount.

Referring to FIGURE 12, the vibration limiting switch 310 comprises a hollow casing 312 having a removable side panel 314 which is secured to the casing 312 by screws 316. A switch 318 is mounted within the casing 312. Switch 318 has an actuating button 320 projecting from the side of the switch 318. Switch 318 is normally open, and is closed by pressing the actuating button 320 inwardly. An L-shaped, snap-type, spring actuating member 322 is pivotably mounted in the casing 312 at the junction between the arms 324 and 326 of the actuating member 322. The arm 324 of the actuating member 322 extends vertically along the side of the switch 318 and engages the switch actuating button 320. A spring 328 urges the actuating member arm 324 against the switch actuating button 320, to normally maintain the switch 318 in its open condition. The arm 326 of the actuating member 322 extends substantially horizontally beneath the switch 318. The end of the actuating member arm 326 is seated on the top of a plunger 330. Plunger 330 slidably extends through a vertical hole 332 in the bottom of the casing 312. Plunger 330 has a recess 334 extending longitudinally from the bottom end of the plunger 330'. Plunger 330 is mounted in the casing 312 by an annular, flexible diaphragm 336. The inner periphery of the diaphragm 336 is clamped to the bottom end of the plunger 330, and the outer periphery of the diaphragm 336 is clamped between the bottom surface of the casing 312 and the top surface of a housing 338 which is secured to the casing 312.

Housing 338 has a bore 340 extending longitudinally from the top surface of the housing 338, and a smaller diameter bore 342 extending longitudinally from the bottom of the bore 340. A rod 344 extends longitudinally through the larger diameter bore 340 of the housing 338. The upper end of the rod 344 slidably fits within the recess 334 in the plunger 330. The bottom end of the rod 344 slidably fits within the smaller diameter bore 342 of the housing 338. Rod 344 has a recess 346 extending longitudinally from its bottom end, and a smaller diameter passageway 348 extending longitudinally therethrough from the recess 346 to the top end of the rod 344. A collar 35-0 surrounds and is secured to the rod 344. The collar 350 is slidably disposed within the larger diameter bore 340 of the housing 338. The rod 344 is seated on a helical spring 352 which extends into the recess 346 in the rod 344. Spring 352 is seated on a washer 354 which is in the bottom of the smaller diameter bore 342 of the housing 338. A bolt 356 is threaded through the bottom of the housing 338 and engages the bottom of the washer 354. A locknut 358 is threaded on the bolt 356 and engages the bottom surface of the housing 338.

The vibration limiting switch 310 operates as follows:

The wires 360 from the switch 318 are connected in the circuit between the motor 212 and the source of current to the motor 212. Since the switch 318 is normally held in its closed condition by the arm 324 of the actuating member 322, the motor 212 will operate to rotate the basket 126. Since the vibration limiting switch 310 is mounted directly on the casing 32, the vibration limiting switch 310 will vibrate with the casing 32. Vertical vibration of the vibration limiting switch 310 causes the rod 344 and the collar 350 to reciprocate vertically. The amplitude of the reciprocation of the rod 344 will correspond to the amplitude of the vibration of the casing 32. Thus, as the amplitude of the vertical vibration of the casing 32 increases, the amplitude of the reciprocation of the rod 344 will likewise increase. The passageway 348 through the rod 344 permits the escape of the air which is in the plunger recess 334 above the rod 344. However, since the passageway 348 is of a small diameter, the air in the plunger recess 334 above the rod 344 will dampen the reciprocation of the rod 344 slightly. This dampening of the reciprocation of the rod 344 is only sufiicient to prevent the rod 344 from reciprocating due to only slight vibration of the casing 32.

As the amplitude of the vibration of the casing 32 increases, the amplitude of the reciprocation of the rod 344 will increase until the rod 344 strikes the top of the plunger 330 with sufficient force to move the plunger 330' upwardly. The upward movement of the plunger 330 pivots the arm 326 of the actuating member 322 upwardly. The upward pivotation of the actuating member arm 326 pivots the actuating member arm 324 so that the actuating member arm 324 snaps away from the switch actuating button 320, and thereby opens the switch 318, This, in turn, disconnects the motor 212, and thereby stops the rotation of the basket 126. The snap action of actuating member arm 324 holds the actuating member arm 324 away from the actuating button 320 of the switch 318.

A re-set pin 362 extends through the casing 312 adjacent the top end of the actuating member arm 324. To re-set the switch 318 to permit the motor 212 to operate again,

the reset pin 362 is pushed inwardly against the actuating member arm 324.

This snaps the actuating member arm 324 back against the actuating button 320 of the switch 318 and closes the switch 318. This also pivots the actuating member arm 326, and pushes the plunger 330 downwardly to its normal position. The spring 328 will then hold the actuating member arm 324 against the actuating button 320 to maintain the switch 318 in its closed condition.

Since the operation of the vibration limiting switch 310 to stop the rotation of the basket 126 depends on the reciprocating rod 344 striking the plunger 330, the normal distance between the top of the rod 344 and the top of the plunger 330 will determine the maximum vibration of the casing 32 which the vibration limiting switch 310 will allow. Thus, by varying the distance between the top of the rod 344 and the top of the plunger 330, the vibration limiting switch 310 can 'be pre-set to limit the vibration of the casing 32 to a desired amount. The distance between the top of the rod 344 and the top of the plunger 330 can be varied by the bolt 356. By threading the bolt 356 upwardly, the washer 354 is moved upwardly, which in turn raises the spring 352 and the rod 344. Thus, the distance between the top of the rod 344 and the top of the plunger 330 is reduced.

The washing machine 28 of the present invention operates as follows:

The articles to be washed are placed in the basket 126 by opening the door 196, and inserting the articles through the opening 190 in the front end of the basket 126. The door 196 is then closed and locked, and water is admitted into the basket 126 through the water supply conduit and the shaft 136. Water is admitted into the basket 126 until the basket 126 is substantially half filled with water. The soap and other washing materials may be inserted into the basket 126 while the water is being admitted into the basket 126 by pouring the soap through the opening 201 in the transparent plate 200 of the door 196.

When the desired amount of water has been admitted into the basket 126, the basket 126 is drivingly connected to the motor 212, which may be running, by shifting the transmission 242 into its forward gear so that the basket 126 will be rotated at a relatively low speed. During the washing cycle the washing machine 28, the direction of rotation of the basket 126 may be periodically reversed by means of the transmission 242 to obtain the complete agitation of the articles being washed through the wash water. After the articles have been washed for a desired length of time, the transmission 242 is shifted to its neutral position, and the magnetic clutch 220 is energized to drivingly connect the pulley 216 to the motor shaft 218. This rotates the basket 126 at a high speed of rotation.

As the speed of rotation of the basket 126 increases, centrifugal force will move the valve heads 176 of the valves 164 away from the annular ring 135 to open the holes 162 in the annular ring 135. The water in the basket 126 will then flow from the basket 126 through the holes 162 into the casing 32. The casing 32 has an outlet conduit 364 extending from the bottom of the casing 32 through which the water is drained from the casing 32. The centrifugal force provided by the high speed rotating of the basket 126 not only opens the valves 164 to drain the water from the basket 126, but also extracts the water from the articles being washed. After the extraction cycle is completed, the magnetic clutch 220 is deenergized to disconnect the drive between the motor 212 and the basket 126. As the speed of rotation of the basket 126 decreases, the resilient metal straps 166 of the valves 164 force the valve heads 176 back into the holes 162 to close the holes 162.

The basket 126 is then partially re-filled with water for the purpose of either rinsing the articles being washed or for providing a second washing cycle. For either of these purposes, the basket 126 is drivin-gly connected to the motor 212 through the transmission 242 to rotate the basket 126 at the relatively low speed. Thus, the articles being washed can be put through as many washing and rinsing cycles as desired with an extraction cycle being provided after each washing and rinsing cycle. During the washing and rinsing cycles of the was-hing machine 20, the rubber ring 288 between the door 196 and the annular ring 192 of the basket 126 is inflated to press the sealing sleeve 210 against the annular ring 192. Thus, during the washing and rinsing cycles, the space between the door 196 and the basket 126 is sealed to prevent the water in the basket 126 from leaking through the opening in the front of the basket 126. However, during the extraction cycle of the washing machine 20, the rubber ring 268 is deflated to move the sealing sleeve 210 away from the annular ring 192. Since during the extraction cycle, the water in the basket 126 is thrown radially outwardly into the outer periphery of the basket 126, the water cannot leak through the opening 190 in the basket 126. By moving the sealing sleeve 218 away from the annular ring 192, the sealing sleeve 210 is not worn by the high speed of rotation of the basket 126.

During the operation of the washing machine 20, the locking arms 112 are disconnected from the locking pins 120 so that the casing 32 is free to vibrate with respect to the base 22. During the assembling of the washing machine 20, the rods 60 of the torsion bars 58 are pretensioned by threading the nuts 110 onto the rods 104 to pull the arms 100 upwardly, and thereby twist the rods 60. The rods 60 are pretensioned an amount sufficient to compensate for the weight of the casing 32, the basket 126, and the shaft 136 so that the connecting arms 86 between the torsion bars 58 and the casing 32 will normally be horizontal as shown in FIGURE 2. During the operation of the washing machine 20, any vertical vibration of the casing 32 caused by the load in the rotating basket 126 will be transmitted to the rods 60 through the connecting arms 86 and the sleeves 62 to twist the rods 60. The resiliency of the rods 60 of the torsion bars 58 will take up the vertical vibration of the casing 32.

Thus, the vertical vibration of the casing 32 is taken up by the torsion bars 58 and the helical spring 56 so that the vibration is not transmitted to the base 22. If the amplitude of the vibration of the casing 32 becomes greater than a predetermined amount which may cause damage to the washing machine 20, the vibration limiting switch 310 will operate in the manner previously described to shut off the motor 212, and thereby stop the rotation of the basket 126.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A washing machine comprising a base, a pair of spaced upright posts mounted on the back end of said base, a pair of spaced upright supports mounted on the front end of said base, a casing above said base and between said posts and supports, a basket within said casing, said basket being rotatably supported on said casing for rotation about a horizontal axis, a pair of elongated torsion rods extending horizontally along opposite sides of said casing, the back end of each of said torsion rods being fixedly supported on a separate one of said posts, the front end of each of said torsion rods being rotatably supported on a separate one of said upright supports, and means connecting said casing to each of said torsion rods so that the casing is supported on said torsion rods and so that vertical vibration of said casing twists said torsion rods to take up the vibration.

2. A washing machine in accordance with claim 1 in which the torsion rods are non-circular in transverse crosssection, a separate bushing fits around each end of each of said torsion rods, said bushings having bores which correspond in transverse cross-sectional shape to the crosssectional shape of said torsion rods to prevent relative rotation between said bushings and said rods, the bushings on the back end of said rods being fixedly secured to said posts, and the bushings on the front ends of said rods being rotatably supported on said upright supports.

3. A washing machine in accordance with claim 2 in which a separate elongated sleeve surrounds each of the torsion rods, the front end of each of said sleeves being fixedly secured to the bushing on the front end of the rod,

and the back end of each of said sleeves being rotatably supported on the bushing on the back end of the rod.

4. A washing machine in accordance with claim 3 in which the means connecting the casing to the torsion rods comprise a separate connecting arm secured to each of the sleeves adjacent the front end of the sleeves, said connecting arm extending radially from said sleeves toward said casing, a separate link pivotally connected to the end of each of said connecting arms, said links extending vertically downward from said connecting arms, and means pivotally connecting the bottom ends of said links to said casing.

5. A washing machine in accordance with claim 3 including means for individually pretensioning each of the torsion rods.

6. A washing machine in accordance with claim 5 in which the means for pretensioning each of the torsion rods comprises a separate arm secured to each of the bushings at the back ends of said rods, said arms extending radially from said sleeves toward each other, a separate rod pivotally connected to the end of each of said arms, each of said rods extending vertically upwardly from said arms and projecting through a ledge extending horizontally from a post, a separate nut threaded on the upper end of each of said rods and seated on the top surface of said ledge, the threading of said nuts on said rods pulling the ends of said arms upwardly to rotate said sleeves and twist said torsion rods.

7. A washing machine in accordance with claim 3 including means for locking said casing to prevent relative movement between said casing and the base.

8. A washing machine in accordance with claim 7 in which the means for locking said casing comprises a separate locking arm rotatably supported on each of the sleeves adjacent the front end of the sleeves and extending radially from said sleeves, a separate locking pin secured to each side of said casing, and means for releasably securing the end of each of said locking arms to a separate one of said locking pins, said locking arms extending at an acute angle to the vertical when secured to the locking pin.

9. A washing machine in accordance with claim 1 including a pair of spaced plates secured to and extending rearwardly from the back end of the casing, a support plate secured to and extending rearwardly from the back end of said casing beneath said pair of plates, means supporting the back end of said supporting plate from said pair of plates, a rail secured between the posts and extending across said supporting plate, and spring means supported from said rail and resiliently supporting said supporting plate.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,318,806 5/1943 Sisson et al. 2,779,602 1/ 1957 Kimbro et al 3,039,613 6/1962 Hubbard 6824 X FOREIGN PATENTS 224,291 9/ 1959 Australia.

IRVING BUNEVICH, Primary Examiner, 

1. A WASHING MACHINE COMPRISING A BASE, A PAIR OF SPACED UPRIGHT POSTS MOUNTED ON THE BACK END OF SAID BASE, A PAIR OF SPACED UPRIGHT SUPPORTS MOUNTED ON THE FRONT END OF SAID BASE, A CASING ABOVE SAID BASE AND BETWEEN SAID POSTS AND SUPPORTS, A BASKET WITHIN SAID CASING, SAID BASKET BEING ROTATABLY SUPPORTED ON SAID CASING FOR ROTATION ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS, A PAIR OF ELONGATED TORSION RODS EXTENDING HORIZONTALLY ALONG OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID CASING, THE BACK END OF EACH OF SAID TORSION RODS BEING FIXEDLY SUPPORTED ON A SEPARATE ONE OF SAID POSTS, THE FRONT END OF EACH OF SAID TORSION RODS BEING ROTATABLY SUPPORTED ON A SEPARATE ONE OF SAID UPRIGHT SUPPORTS, AND 